Schneiderman hits Donovan over 'NYN' interview

Eric Schneiderman’s AG campaign is rapping opponent Dan Donovan following the initial broadcast of a “New York Now” interview — conducted by yours truly — with the Republican candidate and State Island DA. Their Saturday release, followed by some context:

[Friday] night during a New York NOW interview, Republican Attorney General candidate Dan Donovan dodged another question, saying he “doesn’t know” if outlawing a woman’s right to choose even for victims of rape and incest is “extreme.”

“Dan Donovan might not know if it’s extreme to force a rape or incest victim to carry a pregnancy, but the women of this state certainly do. His statement proves that the Paladino-Donovan ticket is dangerously out of step with the people of New York,” said Schneiderman spokesman James Freedland. “Voters have a clear choice between Eric Schneiderman’s proven track record of protecting the rights of all New Yorkers and standing up for what’s right – and Dodger Dan, who won’t say if his party’s radical anti-woman agenda is extreme.”

New York NOW Exchange (September 24, 2010):

Q: Now Carl Paladino has said that he opposes abortion, even in cases of rape or incest. Is that an extreme position?

A: That’s his position. I don’t know if it’s extreme, it’s his position. Uh, everybody is entitled to their position and their personal opinions should be respected.

Schneiderman’s campaign released a similar statement this morning as he praised the opening of a new Planned Parenthood center on Staten Island.

While the excerpt is certainly accurate, it’s a rather, ahem, selective quotation the final portion of the interview. Here’s the full exchange on the subject of abortion, which followed Donovan’s explanation of why he’s endeavoring to stick to his own race without getting embroiled in Carl Paladino’s actions or policies, or those of anyone else:

Q: On the question of abortion, you’ve said — and please correct me if I’m wrong — that your own position has been that you’re personally pro-life, but that you would enforce any, or [rather] fight any incursion on a woman’s right to choose. Is that a fair description?

A: You’re absolutely right, Casey, I have promised the women of our state: Abortion and a woman’s right to choose her reproductive health care has been established in our state for over 50 years. It’s never going to change.

Q: Now, Carl Paladino has said that he opposes abortion, even in cases of rape or incest. Is that an extreme position?

A: That’s his position. I don’t know if it’s extreme, it’s his position. Everybody’s entitled to their position, and their personal opinions should be respected. But that’s not the law in our state. The law in our state is that every woman has a right to choose her reproductive health care, and I have promised every woman not only would I protect that right, but that I would take appropriate action against anyone who tried to interfere with that right.

You can watch the entire interview, and the rest of this week’s “New York Now,” here.